He was listed as a top 50 prospect in many circles. Although it is not clear how long this procedure will delay him resuming baseball activities, I wish him the best and a full recovery. From what I have seen, it doesn't seem like the big of a procedure, but anytime brain surgery is mentioned, it is a serious procedure IMO.

Red Sox prospect Ryan Westmoreland has been diagnosed with a cavernous malformation in his brain and will require surgery to correct it.The kid has some seriously bad luck. Westmoreland, 19, suffered a broken clavicle last season after crashing into an outfield wall and now he's scheduled to undergo what sounds like a serious brain procedure. The Red Sox have not given any indication as to when the outfielder might be ready to compete again, but we're thinking he'll take it easy in 2010.

B-Chad wrote:Pedroia's LD rate of 20% is reason to believe he'll maintain a higher BA then Cano. It should also be noted he hits more FB's then Cano, which means that even if he posts a lower HR/FB then Cano, he should come in reasonably close to Cano in HR's

Wow. Hopefully, he’ll be ok. Typically such surgeries go smoothly. It’s great that they caught it before it ruptured, but given that it’s located in the brain stem, there’s a bit more risk than usual. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.

The Red Sox announced that 19-year-old Ryan Westmoreland underwent successful brain surgery on Tuesday in Arizona.The team released a statement earlier this evening, which said in part: "Following the five-hour procedure, Westmoreland remains in the intensive care unit but has come through the surgery well. Due to the complexity of this surgery, Ryan will face a difficult period initially before beginning his recovery." Westmoreland was recently diagnosed with a cavernous malformation of the brain earlier this month, a potentially life-threatening condition.

One of the benefits of being a professional athlete is that medical conditions might go unnoticed in most people are caught quickly and very early. Who knows how long Westmoreland would have gone with headaches before even seeing a doctor if he was just a regular 19 year old college kid.

Jon Lester is an example of this as well. Lester was having back pain shortly after a car accident, so the Red Sox sent him to the doctors who discovered his cancer. If he was a regular young adult, maybe he goes to the doctor and maybe he attributes to the car wreck and doesn't go to the doctor. Since he was a major league pitcher his team made him go to the doctor who found the cancer.

"I do not think baseball of today is any better than it was 30 years ago... I still think Radbourne is the greatest of the pitchers." John Sullivan 1914-Old athletes never change.

Ryan Westmoreland (brain surgery) has been moved out of intensive care and will begin physical and occupational therapy.Great news. The Red Sox released a statement on Friday that read in part: "We are thrilled for Ryan and his family that the surgery went so well," said Red Sox General Manager Theo Epstein. "While we recognize that the recovery process is long and complicated, we are excited that all of the early indications are so positive. On behalf of the Westmoreland family, we thank everybody who has expressed concern and support for Ryan." Westmoreland, 19, underwent surgery to repair a cavernous malformation of the brain on Tuesday.

Red Sox prospect Ryan Westmoreland is hoping to take part in the fall instructional league next month, even if he doesn't progress to playing in games.Westmoreland, who underwent brain surgery in March, is back running, throwing and hitting soft toss. He's yet to face live pitching, so he's probably not going to be ready to play in games in September. Still, his recovery has gone as well as anyone could have hoped.Source: WEEI